Phase II Trial For Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine Completes, Mass Production To Begin Soon

A key COVID-19 vaccine being tested in China has completed Phase II clinical trials, according to a new report published on the WeChat account of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

According to the report, the COVID-19 vaccine in China is expected to be available as early as the end of this year as it has already completed Phase II testing of the clinical trials reviewing its safety and efficacy.

The coronavirus vaccine in China is being developed jointly by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products and China National Biotec Group Co. The existing production line for the vaccine is expected to reach the full potential for manufacturing soon, as per which 100 to 120 million doses of coronavirus vaccines can be produced in a year.

Even though the Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that COVID-19 vaccine, once approved, will be shared with the world, there are certain challenges in front of the scientists.

First, Phase III of the clinical study needs to be completed. For the Phase III study, scientists have to test the vaccine where coronavirus infections are rampant in China. However, the dwindling number of newly reported infections in China makes is nearly impossible to successfully complete Phase III clinical trials.

Also, to be able to distribute and supply COVID-19 vaccines globally, the production capacity needs to be ramped up significantly.

As of now, there are a total of five coronavirus vaccines in China being tested in humans. The Chinese government has asked research institutes, companies, health authorities and drug regulators to work around the clock to be able to come up with the world’s first successful COVID-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, reports have come that China is already building secured building to ramp up the research and development activities for the COVID-19 vaccine. The Chinese authorities want to initiate mass production of coronavirus vaccines as soon as possible.

The new buildings are expected to meet the need for large-scale inoculation for the production of COVID-19 vaccines for global distribution. Having such a set-up will guarantee the availability as well as the affordability of the coronavirus vaccine.

The Chinese authorities have previously said that it plans to vaccinate certain groups of people in the country before year-end, irrespective of whether Phase III clinical trial has completed or not.